Biographical
The Biographical series consists of a few folders of articles and clippings about Moody.
The Biographical series consists of a few folders of articles and clippings about Moody.
27.5 linear feet (in 29 boxes) — 29 film reels — 60 phonograph records — 37 GB (online)
The Blair Moody collection documents the career of a Washington-based newspaper correspondent and columnist and United States Senator. The collection covers the period 1928 to 1954, though the bulk of materials date since the mid-1940s. Much of the collection pertains to that period of time when Moody was in the Senate or was running for election to the Senate, although his newspaper career is also well documented. The collection has been divided into the following series: Biographical; Correspondence; Personal/Family; Newspaper Career; Gridiron Club; Senatorial Papers; Speeches; Scrapbooks; Sound Recordings; and Visual Materials.
The Correspondence series, approximately twelve linear feet, relates primarily to the period when Moody was US Senator (1951-1952). The letters concern Senate business, arrangements for speeches and radio appearances, and letters of congratulations and thanks. Much of the correspondence prior to his appointment as Senator by Governor Williams in 1951 relates to his personal affairs, but also contains much commentary on Detroit and Michigan politics, his trips to Europe as a war correspondent and especially on economic development plans in the immediate post-war period, and of course the Washington scene.
For the few months of his Senate appointment the bulk of Moody's papers increased markedly. Unfortunately much of it consisted of routine correspondence with constituents and others about legislation, speech requests, and invitations. Much of the incoming constituent correspondence was apparently not saved. There is considerable correspondence with G. Mennen Williams and Neil Staebler about political matters and his campaign of 1952, and with other senators about transmittal of legislation, committees, etc.
There is very little material on the period after Moody's defeat in 1952, and very little on the campaign of 1954 except for files on Senator Charles E. Potter and his record.
To aid the researcher, a separate index of correspondents in the Moody Collection has been compiled and is appended to this finding aid.